Spring 2006 issue of Horizons

FEATURE ARTICLE

St. Louis County Outlook

St. Louis County Economic Council Reports Track Record of Recent Success for Year

Denny Coleman Last year was a tremendously successful one for economic development in St. Louis County - the best year since 2000 for growth in our communities. Our 2005 accomplish- ments laid the groundwork for much of our 2006 focus. In November, we broke ground for the Express Scripts headquarters at University of Missouri-St. Louis, retaining 1,100 jobs. (See sidebar story on next page.) Express Scripts is the first company in the United States to establish its headquarters on a university campus, and both organizations expect tremendous benefits from the synergy.

The benefits of the NorthPark development also will be out- standing for the county and the local municipalities of Berkeley, Kinloch and Ferguson, creating 12,000 jobs and generating $387 million in tax revenue over the life of the project. A total economic impact of $7 billion for St. Louis County will result from the NorthPark effort. West St. Louis County also experienced a key groundbreak- ing event in November when Pfizer selected our county as the location for its $200 million expansion - a state-of-the-art research facility. Our success with this project will result in the retention of 1,000 high-paying life sciences jobs, with room for future growth and employment. Pfizer selected us as the only location where it will expand in the next decade worldwide. In south St. Louis County, Pinnacle's River City broke ground on a project that will remediate long-deserted property along the Mississippi River. The entertainment, retail and gaming

9 • spring 2006 issue